Page 44 of Finding Yesterday
Jack shifts on his feet before meeting my gaze. “I have a confession too.”
“You secretly like to sniff chili too?” I brush the wrinkles out of my apron as I compose myself.
“No. But I have been taking nibbles of your chili all day.”
“You have, huh?” I nod with a proud smile.
“Yeah, really.” I never thought to add a pinch of yellow curry to chili, such a creative combination. It’s a little mind-blowing.”
Before I can respond, the judges step up to the stage to get everyone’s attention. Pierre LeBeau takes the microphone and after thanking everyone, he continues. “The winners of the contest will be featured inAtlanta Magazineand will be awarded my ‘Best Chili of Atlanta’ plaque.” A smile spreads across his face. “And if you don’t mind, I’d like to have a sit-down chat with both winners.”
The crowd cheers and my brain buzzes. I can already see the plaque hanging on the wall of my future restaurant—my very first cooking award! And an interview withAtlanta MagazinewhereIwill be featured, not Hudson.
Everyone goes silent as Pierre readies to announce the winners of the chili contest.
Nerves explode in my stomach, and I grab Jack’s hand and give it a good squeeze. “Here we go.”
“You’ve got this, Cole.” He winks a sparkling eye. “Don’t worry.”
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
WALKING TO MYcar with my plaque, I squeal. I can’t wait to see my write-up inAtlanta Magazine, and my chat with Pierre went amazingly well. He said to give him a call when I’m ready to break off on my own!
I don’t actually know what cloud nine means, but whatever it is, I’m on cloud eleven. Jack came in second, which I think could’ve been more about politics than quality. The judges weren’t supposed to know whose chili was whose, but Jack has a signature taste to all his food that I’m sure they could recognize.
The first prize meat winner went to a local chophouse in Buckhead. I can’t say that I blame the judges for wanting to boost local businesses versus a national name like Jack Brady. But Jack was over the moon for me and all the PR for The Fine Bone. Undoubtedly, we made a splash today. I’m meeting Jack back at the hotel to celebrate.
I finish loading up my car, shutting my trunk when Hudson approaches. “Hey, I just wanted to say congratulations.”
My palms clam. “Thank you.” I manage to meet his eyes, and he’s smiling. It’s nice to see him smile, especially after he didn’t even place.
“You deserved it. Really.”
“Coming from you, that means a lot.” I peer around looking for Harlow, but she’s nowhere in sight.
He furrows his brows. “My chili wasn’t good.”
I shake my head. “You just need more practice, that’s all.”
“I need to partner with another chef.” He shifts on his feet. “Look I, um, just wanted to tell you. I’m sorry my mom kicked you out of the restaurant.”
“Thank you. And I’m sorry too. I wish I hadn’t waited so long to tell you how I felt.” I scuff my shoe on the ground.
“Yeah, me too. We could’ve talked about things before they got so bad.”
I nod, a realization settling in. “You know, learning to communicate how you feel seems like a simple thing, but it’s not. It’s one of the hardest things. Because to share your feelings, you have to recognize them first. And that feels impossible when you’ve spent your whole life pushing them away.”
A corner of his mouth lifts. “Good point. You went through something no small child should have to, Claire.”
“Thanks, Hudson.” It means a lot that he’s empathizing with what I went through. He didn’t mention it much when we were together. “But it’s not an excuse not to work harder at it, which is what I’ll do from now on.” I rub my ruby necklace. “I truly appreciate this. And I love it.”
“You’re welcome.” He peers around, jamming his hands into his pocket. “So, what do you think of my new coffee? With exclusively US grown beans?”
“It was good,” I reply honestly.
“It tastes just like coffee, doesn’t it?” The corners of his mouth tick up, and the dimple on his left cheek appears. I always loved that dimple.
“Yeah, it was very coffee-like.” I smile.
